Conor Jackson traded to the A's

[AZZenny]

Oakland has been after Conor since we drafted him because of his exceptionally good eye at the plate and his discipline and patience. The first thing on obtaining him, they did what many of us have begged to see happen from day one -- put him in lead-off position, where he belongs. Rather than try to make him something he's not -- a slugger (who sucks at it) -- they may actually try to cultivate his natural talent. Thank God.

 

[azsportsfan01]

Oakland has been after Conor since we drafted him because of his exceptionally good eye at the plate and his discipline and patience. The first thing on obtaining him, they did what many of us have begged to see happen from day one -- put him in lead-off position, where he belongs. Rather than try to make him something he's not -- a slugger (who sucks at it) -- they may actually try to cultivate his natural talent. Thank God.

To be fair the D-Backs had him hitting leadoff quite a bit this year.

 

[The Commish]

*Why do people constantly spell his name incorrectly? Is it that difficult or are they just that lazy?

It's because he blows and isn't worth the effort.

Secondly, organizations can be terrific in scouting certain types of players and terrible at scouting others. The Texas Rangers for a long time couldn't scout/develop pitchers for the life of them until Nolan Ryan took over - but they did scout/develop hitters very well. Same can be said to certain extent with the D-Backs (though they mostly cultivate undisciplined power hitters). Teams always have strengths and weaknesses.

Also my comment about the A's farm system for pitchers wasn't necessarily a knock against their hitters, but obviously they have a tremendous track record in developing arms (see: Haren, Dan).

I wish CONOR nothing but the best, but I didn't think he was an integral part of our future. He's the type of player that can be replaced fairly easily in my opinion and if it helps bolster our bullpen I think we should all be in favor of that.

 

[DWKB]

It's because he blows and isn't worth the effort.

So....lazy it is then?

Secondly, organizations can be terrific in scouting certain types of players and terrible at scouting others. The Texas Rangers for a long time couldn't scout/develop pitchers for the life of them until Nolan Ryan took over - but they did scout/develop hitters very well. Same can be said to certain extent with the D-Backs (though they mostly cultivate undisciplined power hitters). Teams always have strengths and weaknesses.

How much of what you said accounts for park factors? Arlington is one of the most offensive ballparks in the league, the Colosseum is one of the least offensive in the league. Chase is also a highly offensive ballpark.

Also my comment about the A's farm system for pitchers wasn't necessarily a knock against their hitters, but obviously they have a tremendous track record in developing arms (see: Haren, Dan).

Oakland was an offensive juggernaut not too long ago with Tejada and Chavez in his prime. They've produced Nick Swisher. They turned Jack Cust into a MLB player and they've got Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki today.

Dan Haren was a product of the Cardinals system and was highly regarded as a prospect before he ever saw OAK.

I wish CONOR nothing but the best, but I didn't think he was an integral part of our future. He's the type of player that can be replaced fairly easily in my opinion and if it helps bolster our bullpen I think we should all be in favor of that.

I've got no argument with this and I think it's said much better than your previous comment.

 

[The Commish]

So....lazy it is then?



How much of what you said accounts for park factors? Arlington is one of the most offensive ballparks in the league, the Colosseum is one of the least offensive in the league. Chase is also a highly offensive ballpark.



Oakland was an offensive juggernaut not too long ago with Tejada and Chavez in his prime. They've produced Nick Swisher. They turned Jack Cust into a MLB player and they've got Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki today.

Dan Haren was a product of the Cardinals system and was highly regarded as a prospect before he ever saw OAK.



I've got no argument with this and I think it's said much better than your previous comment.

Fair enough. Then Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder are better examples. You're right about the ballparks, but if you look at the pitchers that are starting to come up with Texas (Feliz, Holland, etc), they are quality front-line starters. Another good example I think is Tampa Bay - once they gutted their organization and started over, they've produced solid if not spectacular young starting pitchers.

 

[BC867]

It's August 15th and I was curious how Conor Jackson has been doing with the A's. He's had 52 official at-bats.

Multiplying his Oakland stats by ten (to project to 520 AB's) equates to 120 hits and a batting average of .267. But with only a projected 20 extra base hits (all doubles, no triples or HR's), 50 runs scored, only 40 RBI's, a low slugging percentage of .311, and 60 strikeouts and 60 walks.

I guess the change of scenery to the AL didn't help him develop power numbers despite playing two power positions of LF and DH.

You might think that it is still the aftermath of his Valley Fever but, despite his bulk and height, he never was a power threat for us, even playing the two power positions of 1B and LF.

It looks like Gerardo Parra, as our everyday LF, is producing the same lack of power, and is no longer the RBI machine in LF that he was last year.

I cannot understand why Rusty Ryal has not been given the LF job.

Actually, as much as I like Mark Reynolds the person, if he keeps hitting under .220, I wouldn't be adverse to giving him an opportunity in the AL and naming Ryal the everyday 3B.

Rusty has power, which he's shown when allowed to put some AB's together and has been around .300 for most of the season.

Edit -- I see that Conor is just coming off the DL.

 

[Lefty]

Just saw on ESPN that Conor(CoJack) hit a grand slam for the Red Sox tonight against Baltimore. He also made a diving catch in leftfield, a definite web gem.

 

[Dback Jon]

It's August 15th

It looks like Gerardo Parra, as our everyday LF, is producing the same lack of power, and is no longer the RBI machine in LF that he was last year.

I cannot understand why Rusty Ryal has not been given the LF job.

Actually, as much as I like Mark Reynolds the person, if he keeps hitting under .220, I wouldn't be adverse to giving him an opportunity in the AL and naming Ryal the everyday 3B.

Rusty has power, which he's shown when allowed to put some AB's together and has been around .300 for most of the season.

In hindsight, Reynolds is in the AL (great trade), Ryal is nowhere to be found, and Parra is having a breakout season.

 

[TJ]

In hindsight, Reynolds is in the AL (great trade), Ryal is nowhere to be found, and Parra is having a breakout season.

Rusty is in Japan, right?

 

[Dback Jon]

Rusty is in Japan, right?

Yes. Had to look that up